Understanding family cancer syndromes
Few, if any, families have not
been affected by cancer. No
individual or family is immune
to cancer, but some families
may be more at risk of developing certain
types of cancer than others.
In many instances, cancers that run
in families can be linked to behaviors
that families share. For example,
families that smoke tobacco may be
more vulnerable to cancer than those
that don’t, as the smoke from tobacco
is known to contain dozens of carcinogens.
Cancer can affect multiple
generations, even in families in which
only one person smokes, as exposure
to secondhand smoke also increases
cancer risk.
But poor behaviors or the effects of
those behaviors are not the only cancer
risk factors that can be passed down
from generation to generation. According
to the American Cancer Society,
between five and 10 percent of all cancers
result directly from gene mutations
inherited from a parent. When cancers
within a family are strongly linked to
such mutations, this is known as family
cancer syndrome.
Cancer is not necessarily caused by
a family cancer syndrome, even if gene
mutations are inherited. But the following
factors may make it more likely
that cancers in a family are caused by a
family cancer syndrome:
• Many cases of the same type of
cancer, especially if the cancer is considered
uncommon or rare.
• Cancers that occur at an abnormally
young age within a family compared
to the median age such cancers are
typically diagnosed among the general
population.
BRIGHTON EYE
718-339-6868
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
IF YOU HAVE DIABETES!!
FACTS:
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT:
DIABETIC PATIENTS MUST WATCH:
(frequent visits to your medical doctor)
(with diet and medication if necessary)
Caribbean L 30 ife, Oct. 11-17, 2019 BQ
• More than one type of cancer in a
single person.
• Cancers that occur in both of a pair
of organs, such as in both kidneys, both
breasts, or both eyes.
• More than one childhood cancer in
siblings.
• Cancer that occurs in a sex that is
not usually affected by that
type of cancer, such as a
man being diagnosed with
breast cancer.
Before discussing the potential
of a family cancer syndrome
their physicians, men and
women can survey their family histories
with the disease. Adults can
a list of the people in their
families who have been diagnosed
with cancer, noting their
relationship to each individual
and which side of the family
each person is on. List the
type of cancers each person
diagnosed with, placing an
asterisk or note next to types that
are considered rare or unusual. In addition,
list the age of diagnosis for each
family member and whether or not they
developed more than one type of cancer.
This may be difficult to determine,
but try to learn if each relative diagnosed
with cancer made any lifestyle
choices that might have contributed to
their diagnosis. Such choices include
smoking, alcohol consumption, diet,
and activity level.
Family cancer syndromes are rare,
but understanding them can still help
families make the right lifestyle choices.
More information about family cancer
syndromes is available at www.
cancer.org.
portrait of happy african family at home
b
tial
with
women
tories w
make
fami
no
re
was d
i
Millie R. Fell, MD, FACS
Clinical Assistant Professor
of Ophthalmology NYU
Visit our state-of-the-art facility located at 2025 Kings Hwywww.brightoneye.com
Most insurances accepted
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF CARING FOR BROOKLYN’S EYES!
/www.brightoneye.com
/www.cancer.org
/www.cancer.org
/cancer.org